Auto Battery Recommendations? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

JGalp · 09-28-2016, 02:21 AM

Hey all,

just been a little past 2 years with the BRZ and I've noticed occasionally it doesn't start up right away. gonna call up Triple A and have them test it and the alternator.. i did some research and i heard Triple A is good for battery replacement, i don't know if this applies to all of Triple A but they use DEKA / East Penn batteries. i was told to stay away from interstate and Exide/Napa batteries because they switched manufacturing locations.

Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations for batteries? This is just for DD purposes. don't care about light weight performance batteries. Thanks!

John

menikmati · 09-28-2016, 03:03 AM

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59790

Supposedly the battery is covered under warranty?

I have the same year BRZ as you and my dash cam killed my battery once. After a couple of days on a Battery Tender Jr, the car starts up quickly every time.

guybo · 09-28-2016, 07:50 AM

Go for a lightweight Braille battery. AGM batteries are a LOT lighter and smaller so you'll have to modify your battery tray & hold down. If you have a modified car and there's more vibration, there's the added benifit that AGM batteries are better at withstanding vibrations than lead-acid batteries are. They aren't as good against heat and if you discharge it (by leaving the lights on or whatever) they are harder to charge and take longer to bring back. And they cost more. Being in socal, they should be a great choice because even though Braille batteries have lesser CCA, you aren't in a cold place so it's not a problem.

why? · 09-28-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGalp

Hey all,

just been a little past 2 years with the BRZ and I've noticed occasionally it doesn't start up right away. gonna call up Triple A and have them test it and the alternator.. i did some research and i heard Triple A is good for battery replacement, i don't know if this applies to all of Triple A but they use DEKA / East Penn batteries. i was told to stay away from interstate and Exide/Napa batteries because they switched manufacturing locations.

Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations for batteries? This is just for DD purposes. don't care about light weight performance batteries. Thanks!

John

honestly if you don't care about weight then just get whatever is the best deal.

Tcoat · 09-28-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by why?

honestly if you don't care about weight then just get whatever is the best deal.

This ^ Check the specs (I do not know them off hand) and get something that matches. I am usually in the "Buy the best quality and pay the premium" camp but since about 90% of batteries made are all done in the same two places then this is an exception to the rule. The only difference between MOST batteries is the colour plastic they use and the label they slap on it.

Ernest72 · 10-02-2016, 03:56 PM

Very little benefits in batteries, so just get one with a decent warranty. I have optima red tops because I have done great with them. Some say they are not as good any more for the cost. But I have had two last 8 years, and I changed them just because I did not want to take any chances. I have had Honda stock batteries go 8 years as well. I tell most people to just get that 100 Autozone battery or equivalent. Kirkland signature batteries at Costco are cheap and good.

JazzleSAURUS · 10-03-2016, 10:20 AM

The costco kirkland and interstate batteries are good and cheap. I've begun running Odyssey lightweights in my cars (PC925) as they are lighter than stock, not too expensive, last longer, smaller...

qqzj · 10-03-2016, 01:35 PM

Does the lightweight Odyssey battery fit nicely in the battery tray? Thanks.

MrDinkleman · 10-03-2016, 03:13 PM

Buying a battery through AAA is expensive. They charge you (rolled into the battery price) for delivery and installation. For the price of an AAA regular battery, I would get a much better AGM battery at O'Reilly's and install it myself.

Mr.ac · 10-03-2016, 10:26 PM

AAA for batteries? And you are going to call them to test your battery? Wow
You do know they are not mechanics. The batteries they sell are dog shit, they are emergency side of the road, get you to your place, last ditch effort, without towing you, last call battery.

If you just want a new battery that will last, go with anything from Wallmart, Costco, any auto part store.

makesdrivingfunagain · 10-03-2016, 10:44 PM

Isn't that covered under warranty still?

If you don't care about weight than there are more options to choose from. I went with a Braille and I replaced this after having the car for 2.5 years. I have the 15lb battery but it took some modifications to mount this battery. This is my daily driver and no issues so far in socal. You could probably find a high quality replacement battery from tirerack. Anyways, hope this helps

JazzleSAURUS · 10-04-2016, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qqzj

Does the lightweight Odyssey battery fit nicely in the battery tray? Thanks.

I grabbed an ATV battery tray, and J hooks that were threaded all the way down to do this on a friends car.

I will likely be using the JDM STi battery tie down with a PC680 in my BRZ when the stock one fails.

JGalp · 10-08-2016, 05:16 PM

i actually heard that triple A had some pretty good batteries. if not i think i will go with red top or just the costco one.

guybo · 10-08-2016, 09:03 PM

Whatever you do, don't let WalMart work on your car. I have seen some real sketchy stuff after people have gone to wally world for a NeverStart battery. You have to double check the work you get there because they are high volume, low quality and they will damage your car when they hurry through the service. They forget to put the battery hold down brackets on, don't seat the terminals well enough etc.

09-28-2016, 02:21 AM	#1
JGalp Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Drives: 2015 CWP BRZ Limited Location: SoCal Posts: 533 Thanks: 47 Thanked 32 Times in 25 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Auto Battery Recommendations? Hey all, just been a little past 2 years with the BRZ and I've noticed occasionally it doesn't start up right away. gonna call up Triple A and have them test it and the alternator.. i did some research and i heard Triple A is good for battery replacement, i don't know if this applies to all of Triple A but they use DEKA / East Penn batteries. i was told to stay away from interstate and Exide/Napa batteries because they switched manufacturing locations. Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations for batteries? This is just for DD purposes. don't care about light weight performance batteries. Thanks! John

10-03-2016, 10:20 AM	#7
JazzleSAURUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Drives: 15 BRZ LTD, 05 FXT Location: Western MA Posts: 1,032 Thanks: 561 Thanked 560 Times in 353 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The costco kirkland and interstate batteries are good and cheap. I've begun running Odyssey lightweights in my cars (PC925) as they are lighter than stock, not too expensive, last longer, smaller... __________________ SOLD: 2015 WRB BRZ Limited ('02 WRX BBS, S-04's, Stoptech Sport pads, MXP SP, AVO drop in filter, Mishimoto Intake tube, decatted header, OFT 93 Stage 2 EL Tune, Kartboy rear shifter bushing, Whiteline transmission and subframe lockout bushings, ST Coilovers, SPC Camber bolts w/smaller crash bolt, SPC LCA's & SPC Toe Arm bushings, Red TOMs, TRD Wing.)

10-03-2016, 10:26 PM	#10
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,368 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,559 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	AAA for batteries? And you are going to call them to test your battery? Wow You do know they are not mechanics. The batteries they sell are dog shit, they are emergency side of the road, get you to your place, last ditch effort, without towing you, last call battery. If you just want a new battery that will last, go with anything from Wallmart, Costco, any auto part store. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

10-03-2016, 10:44 PM	#11
makesdrivingfunagain Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S Location: US Posts: 211 Thanks: 128 Thanked 70 Times in 49 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Isn't that covered under warranty still? If you don't care about weight than there are more options to choose from. I went with a Braille and I replaced this after having the car for 2.5 years. I have the 15lb battery but it took some modifications to mount this battery. This is my daily driver and no issues so far in socal. You could probably find a high quality replacement battery from tirerack. Anyways, hope this helps __________________ 2013 FR-S, AT, Braille 15lb battery, 16x7 Wedsport SA15R w 205/55/16 Continental Extreme Contact Sport, TRD drop in airfilter, TRD spring and TRD swaybars, TRD exhaust, TRD Brake Pads,4:56gear, 2740lbs

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09-28-2016, 03:03 AM	#2
menikmati Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2015 BRZ, 2005 STI Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 336 Thanks: 229 Thanked 225 Times in 118 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59790 Supposedly the battery is covered under warranty? I have the same year BRZ as you and my dash cam killed my battery once. After a couple of days on a Battery Tender Jr, the car starts up quickly every time.

09-28-2016, 07:50 AM	#3
guybo Huge E85 fan! Join Date: May 2016 Drives: 2016 Scion FRS Location: Tampa, FL, USA Posts: 1,850 Thanks: 539 Thanked 1,010 Times in 605 Posts Mentioned: 32 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Go for a lightweight Braille battery. AGM batteries are a LOT lighter and smaller so you'll have to modify your battery tray & hold down. If you have a modified car and there's more vibration, there's the added benifit that AGM batteries are better at withstanding vibrations than lead-acid batteries are. They aren't as good against heat and if you discharge it (by leaving the lights on or whatever) they are harder to charge and take longer to bring back. And they cost more. Being in socal, they should be a great choice because even though Braille batteries have lesser CCA, you aren't in a cold place so it's not a problem.

10-02-2016, 03:56 PM	#6
Ernest72 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Drives: 16 Silver BRZ, 04 Silver WRX wagon Location: Rockland county, NY Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 186 Thanked 776 Times in 446 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Very little benefits in batteries, so just get one with a decent warranty. I have optima red tops because I have done great with them. Some say they are not as good any more for the cost. But I have had two last 8 years, and I changed them just because I did not want to take any chances. I have had Honda stock batteries go 8 years as well. I tell most people to just get that 100 Autozone battery or equivalent. Kirkland signature batteries at Costco are cheap and good.

10-03-2016, 01:35 PM	#8
qqzj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: MDX, Camry Location: SF, CA Posts: 399 Thanks: 54 Thanked 69 Times in 44 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Does the lightweight Odyssey battery fit nicely in the battery tray? Thanks.

10-03-2016, 03:13 PM	#9
MrDinkleman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Drives: 2016 Oceanic, "base" model Location: Gardena, CA Posts: 398 Thanks: 129 Thanked 179 Times in 128 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Buying a battery through AAA is expensive. They charge you (rolled into the battery price) for delivery and installation. For the price of an AAA regular battery, I would get a much better AGM battery at O'Reilly's and install it myself.

10-08-2016, 05:16 PM	#13
JGalp Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Drives: 2015 CWP BRZ Limited Location: SoCal Posts: 533 Thanks: 47 Thanked 32 Times in 25 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	i actually heard that triple A had some pretty good batteries. if not i think i will go with red top or just the costco one.

10-08-2016, 09:03 PM	#14
guybo Huge E85 fan! Join Date: May 2016 Drives: 2016 Scion FRS Location: Tampa, FL, USA Posts: 1,850 Thanks: 539 Thanked 1,010 Times in 605 Posts Mentioned: 32 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Whatever you do, don't let WalMart work on your car. I have seen some real sketchy stuff after people have gone to wally world for a NeverStart battery. You have to double check the work you get there because they are high volume, low quality and they will damage your car when they hurry through the service. They forget to put the battery hold down brackets on, don't seat the terminals well enough etc.

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